ORLANDO – The first NCAA Super Regional appearance in UCF softball program history a year ago continues to aid in heightening national respect for the team entering its highly-anticipated 2023 season, as the Knights have been ranked within the top 18 in the nation in both the Softball America and ESPN/USA Softball Preseason Top 25 polls.
Softball America has slotted the Knights in at the No. 16 spot in its preseason rankings, while ESPN/USA Softball pegged UCF at No. 18.
Both publications' rankings represent yet another step forward for the Knights with regards to national recognition for the program, as UCF last year received votes in ESPN/USA Softball's poll but finished outside the top 25 in both preseason rankings.
More eyes on us.@SoftbalAmerica and @espn/@USASoftball have ranked us No. 16 and 18 in their Preseason Top 25 rankings!
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) January 24, 2023
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The Knights in 2023 will match up with 10 members of Softball America's Preseason Top 25, including second-ranked Oklahoma State, fourth-ranked UCLA, fifth-ranked Florida, eighth-ranked Alabama, 12th-ranked Georgia, 15th-ranked Duke, 21st-ranked Michigan, 22nd-ranked Louisiana, 23rd-ranked Mississippi State, and 25th-ranked Arizona State.
Eight of UCF's 2023 opponents made ESPN/USA Softball's preseason rankings, including UCLA (2), Oklahoma State (3), Florida (5), Alabama (7), Georgia (13), Duke (19), Missouri (23), and Louisiana (24).
Mississippi State, Arizona State, Michigan, Wichita State, Louisville, Ohio State, Cal State Fullerton, LMU and Boise State represent the Knights' 2023 foes to receive votes in ESPN/USA Softball's poll but fall short of the top 25.
The Knights also represent the only team from the American Athletic Conference to be ranked in either poll. Wichita State is The American's only other representative in either rankings, receiving votes in ESPN/USA Softball's poll.
UCF enters its 2023 campaign looking to build upon an impressive 49-14 record in 2022. In addition to breaking through to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time, the Knights last year also won The American's regular-season title with a 16-2 conference record, bested Houston and South Florida to claim the conference tournament championship, recorded a program-record 11-game conference win streak, and swept their way through the NCAA Orlando Regional with a 3-0 record against Villanova and then-No. 24 Michigan.
COMPLETE SOFTBALL AMERICA PRESEASON TOP 25
- Oklahoma
- Oklahoma State *
- Florida State
- UCLA *
- Florida *
- Northwestern
- Arkansas
- Alabama *
- Texas
- Clemson
- Virginia Tech
- Georgia *
- Tennessee
- Arizona
- Duke *
- UCF
- Washington
- Auburn
- Kentucky
- Stanford
- Michigan *
- Louisiana *
- Mississippi State *
- Oregon State
- Arizona State *
COMPLETE ESPN/USA SOFTBALL PRESEASON TOP 25
- Oklahoma
- UCLA *
- Oklahoma State *
- Florida State
- Florida *
- Arkansas
- Alabama *
- Northwestern
- Texas
- Clemson
- Virginia Tech
- Tennessee
- Georgia *
- Stanford
- Arizona
- Washington
- Kentucky
- UCF
- Duke *
- LSU
- Auburn
- Oregon
- Missouri *
- Louisiana *
- Oregon State
* Denotes UCF 2023 opponent